Understanding God's Sovereignty Amidst Human Free Will

Devotional

Day 1: The Interplay of Free Will and Divine Purpose

The relationship between human free will and divine sovereignty is a profound mystery that often eludes our full understanding. While humans possess the freedom to make choices, God's sovereignty ensures that all actions ultimately serve His divine purpose. This duality is beautifully illustrated in the biblical narrative of Joseph, where his brothers' malicious intentions were transformed by God into a greater good. This story reminds us that even when human intentions are evil, God can use those very actions to fulfill His greater plan. It challenges us to trust in God's overarching purpose, even when we cannot see how our choices fit into His divine tapestry. [51:49]

Genesis 50:20 (ESV): "As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today."

Reflection: Think of a situation where you felt wronged by someone. How might God be using that experience for a greater purpose in your life or the lives of others?

Day 2: The Challenge of Open Theism

Open theism presents a perspective where God allows human freedom to the extent that He does not know future human actions. This view challenges traditional beliefs about God's omniscience and sovereignty, suggesting that God might be surprised by human choices. While this perspective emphasizes the value God places on human freedom, it can also undermine the assurance of God's control and purpose in our lives. It invites us to reflect on the balance between human freedom and divine foreknowledge, and how we can find comfort in the belief that God is never caught off guard by our actions. [16:44]

Isaiah 46:9-10 (ESV): "Remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, 'My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose.'"

Reflection: Consider a decision you are currently facing. How does the belief in God's omniscience and sovereignty influence your approach to making this decision?

Day 3: Trusting God's Sovereignty in Suffering

Even in the face of suffering and evil, we are called to trust that God is in control and that He ordains all things for the good of those who love Him. This assurance is rooted in the belief that God's plans are ultimately for our benefit, even when we cannot see it in the moment. The story of Joseph and the crucifixion of Jesus both illustrate how God can use human actions, even those intended for harm, to bring about His redemptive purposes. In times of suffering, we are encouraged to hold onto God's promises and wait for His ultimate redemption. [22:52]

2 Corinthians 4:17-18 (ESV): "For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal."

Reflection: Reflect on a current or past hardship. How can you see God's hand at work in that situation, and how might it be preparing you for something greater?

Day 4: Human Responsibility Within Divine Sovereignty

While God ordains events, humans are still responsible for their actions. The biblical narrative holds individuals accountable for their choices, even when those choices align with God's predetermined plan. This accountability underscores the importance of human agency within God's sovereign will. It challenges us to consider how our actions align with God's purposes and how we can be faithful stewards of the freedom He has given us. [34:41]

Deuteronomy 30:19 (ESV): "I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live."

Reflection: Identify an area in your life where you need to take responsibility for your actions. How can you align your choices with God's will and purpose?

Day 5: Holding Fast to God's Promises

In times of suffering and uncertainty, we are called to trust in God's promises and wait for His redemption. The assurance that God works all things for good provides comfort and hope, even when circumstances seem dire. This trust is a testament to our faith in God's character and His ultimate plan for our lives. It encourages us to hold onto the hope that God is faithful to His promises and that He will bring about His good purposes in His perfect timing. [01:04:08]

Hebrews 10:23 (ESV): "Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful."

Reflection: What is one promise of God that you need to hold onto today? How can you remind yourself of this promise in your daily life?

Sermon Summary

In today's discussion, we delved into the complex relationship between God's will and human free will, especially in the context of suffering and evil. We began by acknowledging the myriad ways humans hurt each other, both intentionally and unintentionally, and questioned why God allows such events to occur. We explored the concept of open theism, which suggests that God values human freedom so highly that He allows evil to occur as a consequence of that freedom. However, this perspective challenges traditional views of God's omniscience and sovereignty, suggesting that God might be caught off guard by human actions.

We examined the biblical narrative of Joseph, whose brothers sold him into slavery, an act intended for harm but ultimately used by God for good. This story illustrates the dual explanation of events: human intentions can be evil, yet God can use those very actions for a greater purpose. This duality is also evident in the crucifixion of Jesus, where human actions led to the most unjust event, yet it was through this act that salvation was made possible.

The discussion emphasized that while we cannot fully comprehend how God's will and human freedom coexist, we can trust in God's sovereignty and His ultimate plan for good. This trust is rooted in the assurance that God has ordained everything for the good of those who love Him, as stated in Romans 8:28. Even when faced with suffering and evil, we are encouraged to hold onto God's promises and wait for His ultimate redemption.

Key Takeaways

1. The Complexity of Free Will and Divine Sovereignty: The relationship between God's will and human freedom is complex and often beyond our full understanding. While humans act with free will, God's sovereignty ensures that all actions ultimately serve His divine purpose. This duality is evident in biblical narratives, such as Joseph's story, where human intentions for evil are used by God for good. [51:49]
2. Open Theism and Its Challenges: Open theism posits that God allows human freedom to the extent that He does not know future human actions. This view challenges traditional beliefs about God's omniscience and sovereignty, suggesting that God might be surprised by human choices. However, this perspective can undermine the assurance of God's control and purpose in our lives. [16:44]
3. God's Sovereignty in Suffering: Even in the face of suffering and evil, we can trust that God is in control and that He ordains all things for the good of those who love Him. This assurance is rooted in the belief that God's plans are ultimately for our benefit, even when we cannot see it in the moment. [22:52]
4. The Role of Human Responsibility: While God ordains events, humans are still responsible for their actions. The biblical narrative holds individuals accountable for their choices, even when those choices align with God's predetermined plan. This accountability underscores the importance of human agency within God's sovereign will. [34:41]
5. Trusting in God's Promises: In times of suffering and uncertainty, we are called to trust in God's promises and wait for His redemption. The assurance that God works all things for good provides comfort and hope, even when circumstances seem dire. This trust is a testament to our faith in God's character and His ultimate plan for our lives. [01:04:08]
** [64:08]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:10] - Introduction to Suffering and Free Will
[01:10] - Examples of Human Suffering
[03:37] - Questioning God's Role in Suffering
[05:15] - Open Theism Explained
[06:42] - Suzanne's Story and Open Theism
[11:19] - Critique of Open Theism
[17:16] - God's Relationship to Evil
[22:52] - Divine Sovereignty and Human Freedom
[30:39] - Scriptural Evidence of Predestination
[39:19] - Joseph's Story: Human Evil and Divine Good
[51:49] - Dual Explanation of Events
[60:04] - Understanding Divine and Human Agency
[64:08] - Assurance in God's Promises
[70:21] - Trusting God Amidst Suffering
[72:22] - Closing Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:

Genesis 50:20 - "As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today."
Romans 8:28 - "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."
Acts 4:27-28 - "For truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place."

Observation Questions:

In the story of Joseph, how does Joseph interpret the actions of his brothers in Genesis 50:20? What does this reveal about his understanding of God's sovereignty?
According to Romans 8:28, what assurance do believers have about the events in their lives? How does this verse relate to the theme of suffering and divine purpose?
In Acts 4:27-28, who are the individuals and groups mentioned as being involved in the crucifixion of Jesus, and how does this passage describe God's role in these events? [31:57]

Interpretation Questions:

How does the story of Joseph illustrate the complexity of human free will and divine sovereignty? What does this suggest about God's ability to use human actions for a greater purpose? [51:49]
What challenges does the concept of open theism present to traditional views of God's omniscience and sovereignty? How might this perspective affect a believer's trust in God's control over their life? [16:44]
How can the dual explanation of events, as seen in the crucifixion of Jesus, help believers understand the coexistence of human responsibility and divine purpose? [34:41]

Application Questions:

Reflect on a time when you faced suffering or injustice. How did you perceive God's role in that situation, and how might the story of Joseph change your perspective? [45:24]
In moments of uncertainty or suffering, how can you actively remind yourself of the promise in Romans 8:28? What practical steps can you take to hold onto this assurance? [01:04:08]
Consider the concept of open theism. How does your understanding of God's sovereignty influence your response to unexpected or challenging events in your life? [17:16]
How can you balance the belief in God's sovereignty with the responsibility for your actions? What steps can you take to ensure that your choices align with God's will? [34:41]
Identify a situation where you struggled to see God's purpose. How can you apply the lessons from the crucifixion of Jesus to find hope and trust in God's plan? [56:31]
Think of a person or situation that has caused you pain. How can you, like Joseph, find a way to see God's hand at work, even in difficult circumstances? [51:09]
How can you support others in your community who are struggling with the coexistence of suffering and divine purpose? What role can you play in helping them find hope and trust in God's promises? [01:06:52]

Sermon Clips

"Open theism wants to take God off the hook at least for the kinds of evil that we do. It explains those kinds of evils, the kinds of evils that we do, by claiming in effect that God can't prevent them because in order for God to prevent them, he would have to restrict or completely destroy our freedom." [00:05:50]

"Gregory Boyd, who many of you know is pastor of Woodland Hills Church in St. Paul, is an open theist, and in fact, he tells this story, this very sad story, in his God of the Possible to drive home why he's an open theist. And now I'm quoting Boyd: 'Several years ago, after preaching a sermon on how God directs our paths, I was approached by an angry young woman.'" [00:06:40]

"Now, when I first started thinking about the relationship between God and evil many years ago, in fact, very shortly after the accident I had when I was 17, a fair amount of this way of explaining why we suffer struck me as exactly right. I found myself thinking God has to put up with all kinds of things he doesn't like in order to preserve our freedom." [00:14:40]

"All of us know that scripture declares that the judge of all the Earth will always do what is right. Genesis 18:25. God is, as Moses sings right at the end of Deuteronomy in the song of Moses, 32:4, God is, as Moses sings, The Rock, whose work is perfect, for all his ways are just." [00:18:22]

"Scripture holds human beings to be acting freely and responsibly even when it says or implies that God has predestined what will take place. Listen to that sentence again: Scripture holds human beings to be acting freely and responsibly even when it says or implies that God has predestined what will take place." [00:30:39]

"Joseph's brothers wickedly plot against him to kill him. They end up instead, just because of happenstance, selling him into slavery. He ends up in Egypt. In Egypt, he has a whole series of ups and downs, which include his being imprisoned for two years on the false charge that he had tried to seduce his master's wife." [00:41:44]

"Joseph then reiterates, without mentioning his brother's part in it, that it was God who had sent him to Egypt. Verse 7: God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on Earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance. God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on Earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance." [00:44:42]

"Joseph's claim is then most accurately and clearly translated like this, and I'm going to add one phrase in order to make clear everything: As for you, in selling me into Egypt, you meant by that act to do me evil, you meant evil against me, but God meant that very evil for good." [00:50:18]

"God has ordained or willed or planned everything that happens in our world from before creation. God is the primary agent, the primary cause, the final and ultimate explanation of everything that happens. Yet the causal relationship between God and His creatures is such that his having foreordained everything is compatible with and indeed it takes nothing away from their creaturely power and efficacy." [00:58:21]

"Yet, and this is the absolutely crucial point, yet we can understand why we can't understand it. It is because attempts on our part to understand this involve our trying to understand the unique relationship between the Creator and his creatures in terms of our understanding some creature-to-creature relationship." [01:00:47]

"Thus, scripture reveals that both human agency and divine agency are to be fully affirmed without attempting to tell us how this can be. And the reason scripture does that is because we have no way to understand it, no matter what scripture would say." [01:02:52]

"If all of this is true, we should be sure that the Declaration that the Apostle Paul makes in Romans 8:28: We know that for those who love God, in other words, for True Believers in Christ's work, for those who love God because he first loved us, we know that for those who love God, all things work together for good." [01:04:08]

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Understanding God's Sovereignty Amidst Human Free Will

Devotional

Day 1: The Interplay of Free Will and Divine Purpose

Day 2: The Challenge of Open Theism

Day 3: Trusting God's Sovereignty in Suffering

Day 4: Human Responsibility Within Divine Sovereignty

Day 5: Holding Fast to God's Promises

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Chatbot

Understanding God's Sovereignty Amidst Human Free Will

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